Hermaphroditic fiber optic connector

ABSTRACT

A hermaphroditic fiber optic connector for use in an assembly for aligning mating ends of at least one pair of optical fibers is disclosed. The connector includes a terminating member having a passage therein dimensioned for receiving one of the optical fibers. An adapter associated with a mating end of the terminating member and communicating with the passage is provided wherein the adapter has a hermaphroditic face exposed at the mating end of the terminating member. The connector also includes means associated with the adapter for securing the one optical fiber in a preselected position relative to the mating end of the terminating member. In a more specific sense, the connector is adapted for use in an assembly including a second identical connector for aligning mating ends of optical fibers in a pair of fiber optic cables in which the various elements may be formed in a manner making them interchangeable with other like elements in order to form a modular hermaphroditic connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fiber optic connectors and, moreparticularly, to hermaphroditic fiber optic connectors for use in anassembly for aligning mating ends of optical fibers in a pair of fiberoptic cables.

In recent years, fiber optic communication lines made up of paralleloptically-conductive fibers arranged to form a flexible cable forconveying light from one location to another have come into increasinguse. The applications have varied, although one particularly significantapplication has been conveying data from one location to another bymodulating a light source with data to be transmitted at one end of thecable and recovering the data at the other end of the cable with aphotosensitive detector. Since the data is conveyed by a medium notsubject to radio frequency interference or detection, fiber opticcommunication lines are particularly well adapted for applicationsrequiring a high degree of security like those found in the dataprocessing field.

With the increasing use of fiber optic communication lines, the need hasdeveloped for connectors capable of joining segments of cables withminimum detriment to the optical transmission path. It has been foundthat precise axial and angular alignment between a pair of fiber opticcables can be achieved by terminating the optical fibers of the cablesin connector pin assemblies in such a way that the optical fibers areconcentrically aligned with respect to the outer dimension of theconnector pins. When a pair of connector pins are concentricallyaligned, the ultimate result is that the optical fibers will likewise beangularly and axially aligned for efficient light transfer.

While the connector art has been developing, the primary focus has beenupon connectors having male and female components. More recently, therehas been a growing interest in, and recognition of the need for,developing a suitable hermaphroditic fiber optic connector for use in anassembly including a second identical hermaphroditic fiber opticconnector for aligning mating ends of optical fibers in a pair of fiberoptic cables. Understandably, this interest has developed out of anappreciation for the fact that hermaphroditic connectors would eliminatethe problem of assuring proper selection of both male and femaleconnectors for a particular assembly as well as an appreciation for thecommensurately reduced manufacturing and assembly costs. Moreparticularly, there has been an increasing awareness of the need fordevelopment of a multichannel hermaphroditic fiber optic connector foruse with single fiber per channel strengthened cables. Additionally, ahermaphroditic fiber optic connector has been sought which exhibits lowloss characteristics just as with prior art fiber optic connectors.

Although the advantages of a hermaphroditic fiber optic connector havebeen appreciated, the need has remained for a practical embodimentadapted for use in an assembly including a second identical embodiment.Prior art connectors have apparently failed to disclose or suggest ahermaphroditic connector of the type contemplated. This is perhaps bestillustrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,870,396 and 3,398,388 which perhapsrepresent some of the more pertinent prior art. Prior art connectorssuch as those disclosed in these patents nevertheless have only a remoterelationship at best to a hermaphroditic fiber optic connector of thetype contemplated. Accordingly, a practical hermaphroditic fiber opticconnector embodiment has never before been available even though theproblems associated with assemblies using male and female connectorshave long been known and appreciated.

As a result, a hermaphroditic fiber optic connector has been needed foruse in an assembly including a second identical hermaphroditic fiberoptic connector for aligning mating ends of at least one pair of opticalfibers in a pair of fiber optic cables.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention, in its broadest sense, is directedto a hermaphroditic fiber optic connector for use in an assembly foraligning mating ends of at least one pair of optical fibers. Theconnector includes a terminating member having a passage thereindimensioned for receiving one of the optical fibers. Adapter meansassociated with a mating end of the terminating member and communicatingwith the passage is provided wherein the adapter means has ahermaphroditic face exposed at the mating end of the terminating member.The connector also includes means associated with the adapter means forsecuring the one optical fiber in a preselected position relative to themating end of the terminating member.

More specifically, the present invention is directed to a hermaphroditicfiber optic connector for use in an assembly including a secondidentical hermaphroditic fiber optic connector for aligning mating endsof optical fibers in a pair of fiber optic cables. The connector thenincludes a rigid terminating member having a first bore dimensioned forreceiving one of the fiber optic cables and communicating with a secondbore in a mating end of the rigid terminating member. An adapter issupported in the second bore wherein the adapter has a hermaphroditicface exposed at the mating end of the rigid terminating member and aplurality of spaced optical fiber receiving bores are included in theadapter for receiving the optical fibers of the one fiber optic cable.The connector then also includes means associated with the optical fiberreceiving bores for securing the optical fibers of the one fiber opticalcable in preselected positions relative to the mating end of the rigidterminating member.

In this embodiment, the second bore is preferably concentric with thefirst bore and the first bore is smaller in diameter than the diameterof the second bore. The first and second bores advantageously extendlongitudinally through the rigid terminating member. Additionally, theadapter is cylindrical and has a diameter equal to the diameter of thesecond bore.

The hermaphroditic face preferably includes a planar surface disposed atan angle to a plane defined by the mating end of the rigid terminatingmember. The planar surface includes a first portion recessed within thesecond bore and a second portion extending beyond the mating end of therigid terminating member. While the arrangement may be altered, theplanar surface is preferably bisected by the plane defined by the matingend of the rigid terminating member.

Additional features of this embodiment include the adapter having ahollow sleeve dimensioned to fit within the second bore wherein thesleeve supports an insert having the hermaphroditic face formed on oneend thereof. The sleeve is advantageously cylindrical having a diameterequal to the diameter of the second bore with the inner diameter thereofbeing equal to the outer diameter of the insert. The adapter alsopreferably includes an inwardly projecting lip at the end of the sleeveopposite the mating end of the rigid terminating member to serve as astop for the insert.

The hermaphroditic face can alternatively include a planar surface lyingin a plane defined by the mating end of the rigid terminating member. Inthis form, the planar surface will advantageously include means foraligning and constraining the hermaphroditic face against longitudinal,transverse and rotational movement relative to a hermaphroditic face ofa second identical hermaphroditic connector. The means for aligning andconstraining the hermaphroditic face preferably includes a pin and a pinreceiving slot spaced apart about the perimeter of the major planarsurface.

The hermaphroditic face can further include first and second planarsurfaces lying in separate planes parallel to a plane defined by themating end of the rigid terminating member. In this form, one of theplanar surfaces can advantageously lie in the plane defined by themating end of the rigid terminating member with the other of the planarsurfaces lying in a plane recessed within the second bore. The first andsecond planar surfaces are preferably joined by an alignment surfacelying in a plane generally perpendicular to the first and second planarsurfaces.

Still additional features of this embodiment include strain relief meanswith the one fiber optic cable having strength members extendinglongitudinally of the optical fibers about the periphery thereof toprotect the optical fibers by resisting longitudinal and transverseloading. More specifically, the rigid terminating member will includestrength member retainer means for securing forward ends of the strengthmembers against rearward movement relative to the rigid terminatingmember. It is desirable for the strength member retainer means toinclude an annular groove concentric with the first bore wherein thegroove has a smoothly rounded inner end and cooperates with an annularplug having a rounded forward end so that the plug may tightly confineforward ends of the strength members within the groove. The plug canadvantageously be held within the groove by releasable securing meansengaging the rearward end of the plug to urge the plug further into thegroove.

The one fiber optic cable will also preferably include additional strainrelief means with the cable having an outer jacket extendinglongitudinally of the strength members about the periphery thereof toprovide environmental protection for the optical fibers. Morespecifically, the rigid terminating member will then advantageouslyinclude jacket retainer means for securing a forward end of the outerjacket against rearward movement relative to the rigid terminatingmember. It is desirable for the outer jacket retainer means to include ashoulder at one end and a barb at the other end with the shoulder beingconfined between the plug and the releasable securing means and the barbbitingly engaging the outer jacket. The releasable securing means ispreferably a hollow nut threadingly engaged with the rigid terminatingmember with the outer jacket being confined between the inner surface ofthe hollow nut and the outer surface of the outer jacket retainer means.The hollow nut is also externally threaded and includes longitudinallyextending slots at the rearward end thereof so as to cooperate with aninternally threaded nut of decreasing diameter to compress the rearwardend thereof. With these features of construction, the compressedrearward end of the hollow nut defines a second barb bitingly engagingthe outer jacket for securing the outer jacket against forward movementrelative to the rigid terminating member.

With another type of fiber optic cable, the strength members may extendlongitudinally of the optical fibers through the center thereof in whichcase the rigid terminating member will again include means for holdingthe strength members against rearward movement relative to the rigidterminating member. In this case, the rigid terminating member desirablyincludes an intermediate bore between the first and second bores havinga cylindrical plug disposed therein with the plug having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced slots supporting the optical fibersintermediate the first and second bores in substantial alignment withthe optical fiber receiving bores in the adapter. Moreover, thecylindrical plug will include a tapered opening through the centerthereof receiving forward ends of the strength members and cooperatingwith a tapered plug inserted therein to tightly confine forward ends ofthe strength members within the tapered opening.

Still further additional features of this embodiment include opticalfiber securing means having a plurality of pin members associated witheach of the optical fiber receiving bores in side-by-side relation withthe pin members being of equal dimension and dimensioned forsubstantially tangential contact with each other and with the inner wallof the optical fiber receiving bore. The pin members are alsoadvantageously in substantial tangential contact with the optical fiberfor tightly confining the optical fiber in the preselected positionrelative to the mating end of the rigid terminating member and furtherinclude adhesive material between the pin members and the inner wall ofthe optical fiber receiving bore and between the pin members and theouter surface of the optical fiber. Alternatively, the optical fibersecuring means includes compressible insert members each having an outerdimension greater than the dimension of the optical fiber receivingbores and a central aperture dimensioned for receiving one of theoptical fibers and being adapted for forced insertion into each of theoptical fiber receiving bores wherein the compressible insert member issubstantially uniformly compressed by the optical fiber receiving borefor substantially uniformly reducing the dimension of the centralaperture about the optical fiber to thereby tightly confine the opticalfiber in the preselected position relative to the mating end of therigid terminating member.

Additionally, the present invention, in another important sense, isdirected to a modular hermaphroditic connector for use in a fiber opticconnector assembly for aligning mating ends of optical fibers in a pairof fiber optic cables. The modular connector includes a terminatingmember having a first bore dimensioned for receiving one of the fiberoptic cables and communicating with a second bore in a mating end of therigid terminating member. Adapter means associated with the second boreis provided having a hermaphroditic face exposed at the mating end ofthe rigid terminating member and being interchangeable with otheradapter means having different hermaphroditic faces. Alignment meansassociated with the adapter means is provided wherein the alignmentmeans is interchangeable with other alignment means capable of holdingthe optical fibers in preselected positions relative to the mating endof the rigid terminating member. The modular connector also includes theone fiber optic cable having strength members to protect the opticalfibers by resisting longitudinal and transverse loading with retainermeans being associated with the terminating member for securing forwardends of the strength members against movement.

With these features of construction, the modular hermaphroditicconnector may interchangeably utilize any adapter means having ahermaphroditic face. It may also utilize any alignment means capable ofholding the optical fibers in preselected positions relative to themating end of the rigid terminating member. Additionally, the modularhermaphroditic connector may utilize any retainer means capable ofsecuring forward ends of the strength members against movement.

The present invention is therefore directed in its broadest sense to ahermaphroditic fiber optic connector for use in an assembly for aligningmating ends of at least one pair of optical fibers. This is accomplishedin a device well suited for use as a multichannel connector exhibitinglow loss characteristics for single fiber strengthened cables. Theconnector utilizes a hermaphroditic face making it possible tomanufacture only a single form of connector rather than both male andfemale connectors almost universally utilized in the past thereby notonly reducing manufacturing costs but also facilitating assembly in thefield to reduce assembly costs as well. This is made possible since thehermaphroditic fiber optic connector is adapted for use in an assemblyincluding a second identical hermaphroditic fiber optic connector. Theconnector is also suitably designed to permit utilization of a modularconcept whereby individual operative elements are interchangeable withother like elements depending upon the particular application all ofwhich are capable of concentrically aligning optical fibers in a highlyaccurate manner. This is accomplished using a surprisingly advantageouscombination and arrangement of components. Other objects and advantagesof the present invention will be appreciated from a consideration of thedetails of construction and operation set forth in the accompanyingspecification, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention,together with the further objects and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, likereference numerals identify like elements in the several figures inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a hermaphroditic fiberoptic connector constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rear portion of a hermaphroditicfiber optic connector utilized with a fiber optic cable having onlyouter strength members;

FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional view of a fiber optic cable having onlyouter strength members;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rear portion of a hermaphroditicfiber optic connector utilized with a fiber optic cable having onlycenter strength members;

FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of a fiber optic cable having onlycenter strength members;

FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of retainer means for center strengthmembers of a fiber optic cable;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the rear portion of a hermaphroditicfiber optic connector utilized with a fiber optic cable having bothouter and center strength members;

FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional view of a fiber optic cable having bothouter and center strength members;

FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view of retainer means for center strengthmembers of a fiber optic cable;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one form of adapter having ahermaphroditic face;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another form of adapter having ahermaphroditic face;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of still another form of adapter havinga hermaphroditic face;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of one form of optical fiber securingmeans;

FIG. 8a is a partial schematic illustration of the form of optical fibersecuring means illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another form of optical fibersecuring means; and

FIG. 9a is a partial schematic illustration of the form of optical fibersecuring means illustrated in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the illustration given and with reference first to FIG. 1, thereference numeral 10 designates generally a hermaphroditic fiber opticconnector for use in an assembly for aligning mating ends of at leastone pair of optical fibers in accordance with the present invention. Theconnector 10 includes a terminating member 12 having a passage 14therein dimensioned for receiving one of the optical fibers 16. Adaptermeans 18 associated with a mating end 20 of the terminating member 12and communicating with the passage 14 is provided wherein the adaptermeans 18 has a hermaphroditic face 22 exposed at the mating end 20 ofthe terminating member 12. The connector 10 also includes means 24associated with the adapter means 18 for securing the one optical fiber16 in a preselected position relative to the mating end 20 of theterminating member 12.

In a preferred embodiment, the hermaphroditic fiber optic connector 10is adapted for use in an assembly including a second identicalhermaphroditic fiber optic connector for aligning mating ends of opticalfibers in a pair of fiber optic cables. The connector 10 then includes arigid terminating member 12 having a first bore 26 dimensioned forreceiving one of the fiber optic cables 28 and communicating with asecond bore 30 in the mating end 20 of the rigid terminating member 12.The adapter means 18 is an adapter supported in the second bore 30having a plurality of spaced optical fiber receiving bores 32 forreceiving the optical fibers 16 of the one fiber optic cable 28. Theconnector 10 again includes means 24 associated with the optical fiberreceiving bores 32 for securing the optical fibers 16 in preselectedpositions relative to the mating end 20 of the rigid terminating member12.

Additional features of the preferred embodiment include the second bore30 being concentric with the first bore 26 and the first bore 26 beingsmaller in diameter than the diameter of the second bore 30. The firstand second bores 26 and 30, respectively, extend longitudinally throughthe rigid terminating member 12. With this construction, the adapter 18is cylindrical and has a diameter equal to the diameter of the secondbore 30.

The hermaphroditic face 22 includes a planar surface disposed at anangle to a plane defined by the mating end 20 of the rigid terminatingmember 12. The planar surface 22 includes a first portion 34 recessedwithin the second bore 30 and a second portion 36 extending beyond themating end 20 of the rigid terminating member 12. Preferably, the planarsurface 22 is bisected by the plane defined by the mating end 20 of therigid terminating member 12.

Considering the adapter 18 in greater detail, it includes a hollowsleeve 38 dimensioned to fit within the second bore 30 and supporting aninsert 40 having the hermaphroditic face 22 formed on one end thereof.The sleeve 38 is cylindrical and has an outer diameter equal to thediameter of the second bore 30 and further has an inner diameter equalto the diameter of the insert 40. The adapter 18 also includes thesleeve 38 having an inwardly projecting lip 42 at the end thereofopposite the mating end 20 of the rigid terminating member 12 serving asa stop for the insert 40.

Referring to FIG. 7, a hermaphroditic face 44 may alternatively beutilized having a major planar surface which will lie in the planedefined by the mating end 20 of the rigid terminating member 12. Theplanar surface will then include means for aligning and constraining thehermaphroditic face 44 against longitudinal, transverse and rotationalmovement relative to a hermaphroditic face of a second identicalhermaphroditic connector 10. The means for aligning and constraining thehermaphroditic face 44 includes a pin 46 and a pin receiving slot 48spaced apart about the perimeter of the major planar surface.

Another suitable hermaphroditic face 50 includes first and second planarsurfaces 52 and 54 (as shown in FIG. 6) lying in separate planesparallel to the plane defined by the mating end 20 of the rigidterminating member 12. One of the planar surfaces 52 lies in a plane setoutwardly from the plane defined by the mating end 20 of the rigidterminating member 12 while the other of the planar surfaces 54 lies ina plane recessed within the second bore 30. The first and second planarsurfaces 52 and 54, respectively, are joined by an alignment surface 56lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the first and second planarsurfaces 52 and 54.

Referring once again to FIG. 1, the one fiber optic cable 28 includesstrength members 58 extending longitudinally of the optical fibers 16about the periphery thereof to protect the optical fibers 16 byresisting longitudinal and transverse loading. The rigid terminatingmember 12 will then include strength member retainer means 60 forsecuring forward ends 62 of the strength members 58 against rearwardmovement relative to the rigid terminating member 12. The strengthmember retainer means 60 includes an annular groove 64 concentric withthe first bore 26 and having a smoothly rounded inner end 66 wherein thegroove 64 cooperates with an annular plug 68 having a smoothly roundedforward end 70 with the plug 68 tightly confining the forward ends 62 ofthe strength members 58 within the groove 64. The plug 68 is held withinthe groove 64 by releasable securing means 72 which engages the rearwardend 74 of the plug 68 to urge the plug 68 further into the groove 64.

The one fiber optic cable 28 also includes an outer jacket 76 extendinglongitudinally of the strength members 58 about the periphery thereof toprovide environmental protection for the optical fibers 16. The rigidterminating member 12 includes jacket retainer means 78 which is alsoassociated with the releasable securing means 72 for securing a forwardend 80 of the outer jacket 76 against rearward movement relative to therigid terminating member 12. The outer jacket retainer means 78 isgenerally conical in shape having an outwardly extending circumferentialrim 82 at one end and an outwardly projecting barb 84 at the other endwith the rim 82 being confined between the plug 68 and the releasablesecuring means 72 and the barb 84 bitingly engaging the inner surface ofthe outer jacket 76.

The releasable securing means 72 is a hollow nut 86 threadingly engagedwith the rigid terminating member 12 with the outer jacket 76 beingconfined between the inner surface of the hollow nut 86 and the outersurface of the outer jacket retainer means 78. The hollow nut 86 isexternally threaded at the rearward end 88 thereof with the threadshaving longitudinally extending slots (not shown) to cooperate with aninternally threaded nut 90 of decreasing diameter to compress therearward end 88 thereof, the nut 90 being covered by a flexible boot90a. With this construction, the compressed rearward end 88 of thehollow nut 86 acts as a second barb 92 to bitingly engage the outerjacket 76 for securing the outer jacket 76 against forward movementrelative to the rigid terminating member 12.

In addition to the strength members 58, the one fiber optic cable 28 mayalso include strength members 94 extending longitudinally of the opticalfibers 16 through the center thereof in which case the rigid terminatingmember 12 will include means 96 for holding the strength members 94against rearward movement relative to the rigid terminating member 12.The rigid terminating member 12 includes an intermediate bore 98 betweenthe first and second bores 26 and 30, respectively, with theintermediate bore having a cylindrical plug 100 disposed therein havinga plurality of circumferentially spaced slots 102 (as shown in FIGS. 3band 4b) supporting the optical fibers 16 intermediate the first andsecond bores 26 and 30, respectively, in substantial alignment with theoptical fiber receiving bores 32 in the adapter 18. The cylindrical plug100 includes a tapered opening 104 through the center thereof receivingforward ends 106 of the strength members 94 and cooperating with atapered plug 108 inserted therein to tightly confine the forward ends ofthe strength members 94 within the tapered opening 104.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 8a, the optical fiber securing means 24includes compressible insert members 110 each having an outer dimensiongreater than the dimension of the optical fiber receiving bores 32 and acentral aperture 112 dimensioned for receiving one of the optical fibers16. It will be understood that one of the compressible insert members110 is adapted for forced insertion into each of the optical fiberreceiving bores 32. The compressible insert members 110 aresubstantially uniformly compressed by the optical fiber receiving bores32 for substantially uniformly reducing the dimensions of the centralapertures 112 about the optical fibers 16 to thereby tightly confine theoptical fibers 16 in the preselected positions relative to the matingend 20 of the rigid terminating member 12.

Referring to FIGS 9 and 9a, alternative optical fiber securing means 114is illustrated. The optical fiber securing means 114 includes aplurality of pin members 116 associated with each of the optical fiberreceiving bores 32 in side-by-side relation. The pin members 116 are ofequal dimension and dimensioned for substantially tangential contactwith each other and with the inner walls 118 of each of the opticalfiber receiving bores 32. The pin members 116 are also in substantialtangential contact with the optical fibers 16 for tightly confining theoptical fibers 16 in the preselected positions relative to the matingend 20 of the rigid terminating member 12. Additionally, the alternativeoptical fiber securing means includes adhesive material (not shown)between the pin members 116 and the inner walls 118 of the optical fiberreceiving bores 32 and between the pin members 116 and the outersurfaces of the optical fibers 16.

Utilizing the advantageous features disclosed above, a modularhermaphroditic connector for use in a fiber optic connector assembly foraligning mating ends of optical fibers in a pair of fiber optic cablesis rendered possible. The connector 10 includes a rigid terminatingmember 12 having a first bore 26 dimensioned for receiving a fiber opticcable 28 and communicating with a second bore 30 in a mating end 20 ofthe rigid terminating member 12. Adapter means 18 is again associatedwith the second bore 30 having a hermaphroditic face 22 at the matingend 20 of the rigid terminating member 12 although the adapter means 18is interchangeable with other adapter means (as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7)having different hermaphroditic faces. Alignment means 24 is also againassociated with the adapter means 18 but the alignment means 24 isinterchangeable with other alignment means (as shown in FIGS. 9 and 9a)capable of holding the optical fibers 16 in preselected positionsrelative to the mating end 20 of the rigid terminating member 12. Theconnector 10 also includes the fiber optic cable 28 having strengthmembers 58 and 94 to protect the optical fiber 16 by resistinglongitudinal and transverse loading together with retainer means 60 and96 associated with the rigid terminating member 12 for securing forwardends 62 and 104 of the strength members 58 and 94 against movement. Withthese features of construction, the connector 10 is a modularhermaphroditic connector providing maximum versatility by utilizingcomponents which are interchangeable depending upon the particularapplication.

More particularly, the modular hermaphroditic connector 10 is designedso that the adapter means 18 (FIG. 5) as well as the adapter means 120(FIG. 6) and the adapter means 122 (FIG. 7) are mutually interchangeablefor providing different hermaphroditic faces 22, 50 and 44,respectively. Similarly, the alignment means 24 (FIG. 8) as well as thealignment means 114 (FIG. 9) are mutually interchangeable for providingdifferent means capable of securing the optical fibers 16 in preselectedpositions relative to the mating end 20 of the rigid terminating member12. Additionally, the retainer means 60 (FIG. 1) and the retainer means96 (FIG. 1) may be used to secure forward ends 62 and 104, respectively,of the strength members 58 and 94 although they may also be usedalternatively as well depending upon the type of fiber optic cable usedin a manner to be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 2a, a different fiber optic cable 126 may beused with the connector 10 of the present invention. It includes aplurality of optical fibers 128 extending longitudinally through thecenter thereof. Strength members 130 generally in the form of strands ofhigh strength plastic are either braided or laid longitudinally over theoptical fibers 128 to provide strength for the fiber optic cable 126under longitudinal and transverse loading. It will be noted that theforward ends 132 of the strength members 130 are secured againstrearward movement relative to the rigid terminating member 12 byretainer means 60. Outer jacket 134 as well as inner jacket 136 encasethe strength members 130 and the optical fibers 128 within molded orextruded plastic to provide environmental protection. The forward end138 of the outer jacket 134 is secured by jacket retainer means 78 andbarb 92 against rearward and forward movement relative to the rigidterminating member 12. Optical fibers 128 extend through theintermediate bore 98 which need not have a cylindrical plug 100 inasmuchas there are no strength members extending through the center of thefiber optic cable 126.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 3a, a still different fiber optic cable 140 isutilized with the connector 10 of the present invention. It includes aplurality of optical fibers 142 extending lontigudinally through thefiber optic cable 140 at an intermediate circumferential position.Strength members 144 again generally in the form of strands of highstrength plastic are laid longitudinally through the center of theoptical fibers 142 to provide strength for the fiber optic cable 140under longitudinal or transverse loading. It will be noted that theforward ends 146 of the strength members 144 are secured againstrearward movement relative to the rigid terminating member 12 byretainer means 96. Outer jacket 148 as well as the individual fiberjackets or insulation 150 encase the optical fibers 142 and the strengthmembers 144 within molded or extruded plastic to provide environmentalprotection. The forward end 152 of the outer jacket 148 is secured byjacket retainer means 78 and the barb 92 against rearward and forwardmovement relative to the rigid terminating member 12. Optical fibers 142extend through the slots 102 in the cylindrical plug 100 in substantialalignment with the optical fiber receiving bores in the adapter.

As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 10 can be altered somewhat forapplications utilizing the fiber optic cable 140 since it is no longernecessary to include the retainer means 60. The intermediate bore 98 canbe extended completely through the rigid terminating member 12 tocooperate with a counterbore 154 so as to define a shoulder 156. Thecylindrical plug 100 can then be dimensioned to fit within thecounterbore 154 and rest against the shoulder 156. It is contemplatedthat the connector 10 (as modified in FIG. 3) will be identical in allother respects to the connector 10 illustrated in the other views. Thereleasable securing means 72 will engage the outwardly extendingcircumferential rim 82 of the outer jacket retainer means 78 to urge thecylindrical plug 100 against the shoulder 156. The outer jacket retainermeans 78 and the barb 92 will secure the forward end 152 of the outerjacket 148 against rearward and forward movement relative to the rigidterminating member 12. Of course, the tapered opening 104 in thecylindrical plug 100 cooperates with the tapered plug 108 insertedtherein to tightly confine the forward ends 146 of the strength members144 against rearward movement.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 4a, the fiber optic cable 28 (also shown inFIG. 1) is utilized with the connector 10 of the present invention. Itincludes optical fibers 16 having an insulation covering 158 thereonextending longitudinally through the fiber optic cable 28 at anintermediate circumferential position. Strength members 58 generally inthe form of strands of high strength plastic are either braided or laidlongitudinally about the periphery of the optical fibers 16 to providestrength for the fiber optic cable 28 under longitudinal or transverseloading. It will be noted that the forward ends 62 of the strengthmembers 58 are secured against rearward movement relative to the rigidterminating member 12 by retainer means 60. Strength members 94 alsogenerally in the form of strands of high strength plastic are laidlongitudinally through the center of the optical fibers 16 to provideadditional strength for the fiber optic cable 28 under longitudinal ortransverse loading. It will also be noted that the forward ends 106 ofthe strength members 94 are secured against rearward movement relativeto the rigid terminating member 12 by retainer means 96. Outer jacket 76as well as the individual fiber jackets or insulation 158 encase thestrength members 58, optical fibers 16, and strength members 94 withinmolded or extruded plastic to provide environmental protection. Theforward end 80 of the outer jacket 76 is secured by jacket retainermeans 78 and the barb 92 against rearward and forward movement relativeto the rigid terminating member 12. Optical fibers 16 extend through thecircumferentially spaced slots 102 in the cylindrical plug 100 insubstantial alignment with optical fiber receiving bores in the adapter.With these features of construction, it will be appreciated that theconnector of the present invention is equally well suited for use withfiber optic cables having outer strength members (FIG. 2), centerstrength members (FIG. 3), or both center and outer strength members(FIG. 4).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 4b, the cylindrical plug 100 is preferably heldin position within the intermediate bore 98 by inserting it through thebore 98 until it reaches the transitional tapered bore 162 joining theintermediate bore 98 to the first bore 26. The transitional tapered bore162 provides a stop for the cylindrical plug 100 by reason of itsdecreasing diameter. It will also be noted that the intermediate bore 98includes a key 164 which may be aligned with a keyway 166 in thecylindrical plug in order to properly orient the cylindrical plug 100and to constrain it against rotational movement relative to the rigidterminating member 12. The cylindrical plug 100 is also constrainedagainst longitudinal movement relative to the rigid terminating member12 by use of a snap ring 168 which may be inserted into an annulargroove 170 in the intermediate bore 98 to hold the cylindrical plug 100against the stop defined by the tapered transitional bore 162. Referringto FIGS. 3 and 3b, it will be appreciated that the cylindrical plug 100again utilizes the key 164 and keyway 166 for proper orientation andconstraint against relative rotational movement although the snap ring168 and annular grooe 170 are not required since the shoulder 156provides longitudinal constraint in this embodiment.

Referring again to FIG. 1, still additional details of construction canbe appreciated. The rigid terminating member 12 includes an internallythreaded ring 172 integral therewith extending rearwardly from therearward end thereof. The internally threaded ring 172 cooperates withexternal threads on the hollow nut 86 and an oversized annular flange174 on the hollow nut 86 cooperates with the end 176 of the ring 172 toact as a stop. The oversized annular flange 174 also serves as a stoprelative to the boot 90a. Finally, the hollow nut 86 includes an annulargroove 178 in its forward end 180 into which the outwardly extendingcircumferential groove 82 of the jacket retainer means 78 fits wherebythe hollow nut 86 engages the rearward end of the annular plug 68 bothdirectly and indirectly through the rim 82 to urge the plug 68 furtherinto the groove 64.

As previously mentioned, the connector 10 of the present invention isadapted for use in an assembly including a second identical connectorfor aligning mating ends of at least one pair of optical fibers. Thiscan be accomplished by utilizing a threaded sleeve 179 having a reduceddiameter portion 180 which cooperates with an enlarged diameter portion182 of a threaded fitting 184. The threaded fitting 184 cooperates withthreads 186 on the outer surface of the rigid terminating member 12 nearthe mating end 20 thereof and just rearward of an annularly cut awayportion 188 into which a reduced diameter portion 190 of the fitting 184fits. The annular sleeve 179 is then held in position with the reduceddiameter portion 180 in firm engagement with the enlarged diameterportion 182 of the fitting 184 by means of threaded coupling 192. Thecoupling 192 is an oversized annular ring having internal threads 194adapted to cooperate with external threads 196 on the sleeve 179. Therearward end 198 of the coupling 192 includes an L-shaped collar adaptedto cooperate with an annular shoulder 200 on the rigid terminatingmember 12. As will be appreciated, the sleeve 179 can be advancedforward relative to the coupling 192 until the reduced diameter portion180 is in firm engagement with the enlarged diameter portion 182 of thefitting 184 and the portion 202 of the L-shaped collar 198 is in firmengagement with the annular shoulder 200 of the rigid terminating member12.

When the connector 10 is so assembled, a second identical connector 10can be used with it for aligning mating ends of at least one pair ofoptical fibers by axially aligning and moving the connectors 10 towardone another 180° out of phase. It will be appreciated that the outerextremity 204 of the hermaphroditic face 22 of the connector 10 willthen be in alignment with the inner extremity 206 of the hermaphroditicface 22 of the second identical connector 10 (not shown), and theconnectors 10 may be advanced toward one another until they are in firmengagement with the hermaphroditic faces 22 of the adapters 18 suitablyarranged for aligning the optical fibers 16. As this is being done, thecoupling 192 of the second identical connector 10 will be threadinglyengaged with the remaining portion of the threads 196 on the sleeve 179after which the ends 208 of the couplers 192 will be in contact tocomplete the assembly comprised of the two identical connectors 10.

Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, it will be appreciated how the adapters18, 120 and 122 all assure precise alignment of optical fibers with theuse of hermaphroditic faces. The outer extremity 204 of thehermaphroditic face 22 (as shown in FIG. 5) locates into the corner 210defined by the inner extremity 206 and the hollow sleeve 38 of a secondidentical hermaphroditic face 22 and it is prevented from overexcursionby reason of the nesting of the outer extremity 204 in the corner 210.The geometry of the adapter 18 is such that the hermaphroditic faces 22are also prevented from relative movement. The first planar surface 52of the hermaphroditic face 50 (as shown in FIG. 6) locates into a recess212 defined by the second planar surface 54, the alignment surface 56,and the hollow sleeve 38 of a second identical hermaphroditic face 50and it is prevented from misalignment by reason of the nesting of thefirst planar surface 52 within the recess 212. The geometry of theadapter 120 is also such that the hermaphroditic faces 50 are preventedfrom relative movement. The pin 46 and the pin receiving slot 48adjacent the hermaphroditic face 44 (as shown in FIG. 7) mate,respectively, with a second identical pin receiving slot and pin and thehermaphroditic faces 44 are prevented from misalignment thereby. Thegeometry of the adapter 122 is also such that the hermaphroditic faces44 are prevented from relative movement. While three specific forms ofhermaphroditic faces and adapters have been illustrated, it is apparentthat still other adapters will be suitable for use in the inventiveconnector in a manner also providing three axes of alignment consideringthe advantageous modular design.

Referring to the insert termination concepts illustrated in FIGS. 8, 8a,9 and 9a, these have previously been described in considerable detail incommonly assigned, copending applications U.S. Ser. Nos. 866,198 and806,953. The concept disclosing utilization of a compressible insertmember (FIGS. 8 and 8a) is generally considered an epoxyless methodwhereas the concept utilizing a plurality of pin members (FIGS. 9 and9a) is generally described as an epoxy method. While these features havegenerally been described hereinabove for purposes of understanding theiruse in the present invention, the disclosure of the referencedapplications is incorporated herein by reference for a more completedescription of these insert termination concepts.

With the above features of construction, the connector 10 clearlyrepresents a significant advancement in the art of fiber opticconnectors. It permits the use of a hermaphroditic connector in anassembly including a second identical hermaphroditic connector foraligning mating ends of at least one pair of optical fibers in a pair offiber optic cables. The connector 10 is well suited for use as amultichannnel low loss connector for single fiber per channel fiberoptic cables. It provides strain relief for the jacketing or strengthmembers of a fiber optic cable to protect the optical fibers from strainor breakage. Still additionally, the connector 10 provides an overallstructure capable of achieving all of these advantages which will acceptvariations in fiber optic cable design by utilizing a modular concept.

With the connector of the present invention, it is possible to providemaximum versatility in a simple, yet reliable device. The nature of theconstruction makes it possible to utilize any of at least threedifferent rear cable retention schemes with any of at least threedifferent front fiber alignment schemes which in turn can be used witheither of at least two different fiber terminating concepts. Theconnector of the present invention clearly incorporates a multitude offeatures within a single device in various combinations capable ofaccomplishing the objective of providing a modular hermaphroditic fiberoptic connector.

While in the foregoing specification a detailed description of theinventive concepts have been set forth for purposes of illustration, thedetails herein given may be varied by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention set forth in theappended claims.

We claim:
 1. A hermaphroditic fiber optic connector for use in anassembly for aligning mating ends of at least one optical fiber in eachof a pair of fiber optic cables comprising:a terminating member having apassage therein dimensioned for receiving one of said fiber opticcables; adapter means associated with a mating end of said terminatingmember and communicating with said passage, said adapter means having ahermaphroditic face exposed at said mating end of said terminatingmember, said adapter means being interchangeable with other adaptermeans; and means associated with said adapter means for securing saidoptical fiber of said one fiber optic cable in a preselected positionrelative to said mating end of said terminating member.
 2. The connectorof claim 1 in which said one fiber optic cable includes strength membersextending longitudinally of said optical fiber about the peripherythereof to protect said optical fiber by resisting longitudinal andtransverse loading on said one fiber optic cable.
 3. The connector ofclaim 2 in which said terminating member includes strength memberretainer means for securing forward ends of said strength membersagainst rearward movement relative to said terminating member.
 4. Theconnector of claim 3 in which said one fiber optic cable includes anouter jacket extending longitudinally of said strength members about theperiphery thereof to provide environmental protection for said opticalfiber.
 5. The connector of claim 4 in which said terminating memberincludes jacket retainer means associated with said securing means forsecuring a forward end of said outer jacket against rearward movementrelative to said terminating member.
 6. The connector of claim 1 inwhich said adapter means includes an optical fiber receiving bore forreceiving said optical fiber of said one fiber optic cable.
 7. Ahermaphroditic fiber optic connector for use in an assembly for aligningmating ends of optical fibers in a pair of fiber optic cablescomprising:a rigid terminating member having a first bore dimensionedfor receiving one of said fiber optic cables and communicating with asecond bore in a mating end of said rigid terminating member; an adaptersupported in said second bore, said adapter having a hermaphroditic faceexposed at said mating end of said rigid terminating member andincluding a plurality of spaced optical fiber receiving bores forreceiving said optical fibers of said one fiber optic cable, saidadapter means being interchangeable with other adapter means havingdifferent hermaphroditic faces; and means associated with said opticalfiber receiving bores for securing said optical fibers of said one fiberoptic cable in preselected positions relative to said mating end of saidrigid terminating member.
 8. The connector of claim 7 in which saidsecond bore is concentric with said first bore, said first bore beingsmaller in diameter than the diameter of said second bore.
 9. Theconnector of claim 8 in which said first and second bores extendlongitudinally through said rigid terminating member.
 10. The connectorof claim 9 in which said adapter is cylindrical and has an outerdiameter equal to the diameter of said second bore.
 11. The connector ofclaim 7 in which said adapter includes a hollow sleeve dimensioned tofit within said second bore and an insert supported within said sleeveand having said hermaphroditic face formed on one end thereof.
 12. Theconnector of claim 11 in which said sleeve is cylindrical having anouter diameter equal to the diameter of said second bore, said sleevehaving an inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of said insert. 13.The connector of claim 12 in which said sleeve includes an inwardlyprojecting lip at the end thereof opposite said mating end of said rigidterminating member to serve as a stop for said insert.
 14. The connectorof claim 7 in which said hermaphroditic face includes a major planarsurface lying in a plane defined by said mating end of said rigidterminating member.
 15. The connector of claim 14 in which said majorplanar surface includes means for aligning and constraining saidhermaphroditic face against longitudinal, transverse, and rotationalmovement relative to a hermaphroditic face of a second identicalhermaphroditic connector.
 16. The connector of claim 15 in which saidmeans for aligning and constraining said hermaphroditic face includes apin and a pin receiving slot spaced apart about the perimeter of saidmajor planar surface.
 17. The connector of claim 7 in which said onefiber optic cable includes strength members extending longitudinally ofsaid optical fibers about the periphery thereof to protect said opticalfibers by resisting longitudinal and transverse loading on said onefiber cable.
 18. The connector of claim 17 in which said rigidterminating member includes strength member retainer means for securingforward ends of said strength members against rearward movement relativeto said rigid terminating member.
 19. The connector of claim 18 in whichsaid strength member retainer means includes an annular groove having arounded inner end concentric with said first bore and an annular plughaving a rounded forward end, said plug tightly confining forward endsof said strength members within said groove.
 20. The connector of claim19 in which said plug is held within said groove by releasable securingmeans, said releasable securing means engaging the rearward end of saidplug to urge said plug further into said groove.
 21. The connector ofclaim 20 in which said one fiber optic cable includes an outer jacketextending longitudinally of said strength members about the peripherythereof to provide environmental protection for said optical fibers. 22.The connector of claim 21 in which said rigid terminating memberincludes jacket retainer means associated with said releasable securingmeans for securing a forward end of said outer jacket against rearwardmovement relative to said rigid terminating member.
 23. The connector ofclaim 22 in which said outer jacket retainer means includes a shoulderat one end and a barb at the other end, said shoulder being confinedbetween said plug and said releasable securing means, said barb bitinglyengaging said outer jacket.
 24. The connector of claim 23 in which saidreleasable securing means is a hollow nut threadingly engaged with saidrigid terminating member, said outer jacket being confined between theinner surface of said hollow nut and the outer surface of said outerjacket retainer means.
 25. The connector of claim 24 in which saidhollow nut is externally threaded and includes longitudinally extendingslots at the rearward end thereof, said hollow nut being adapted tocooperate with an internally threaded nut of decreasing diameter tocompress the rearward end thereof, said compressed rearward end of saidhollow nut defining a second barb to bitingly engage said outer jacketfor securing said outer jacket against forward movement relative to saidrigid terminating member.
 26. The connector of claim 7 in which saidoptical fiber securing means includes a plurality of pin membersassociated with each of said optical fiber receiving bores inside-by-side relation, said pin members being of substantially equaldimension and dimensioned for substantially tangential contact with eachother and with the inner walls of each of said optical fiber receivingbores, said pin members also being in substantial tangential contactwith said optical fibers for tightly confining said optical fibers insaid preselected positions relative to said mating end of said rigidterminating member.
 27. The connector of claim 26 in which said opticalfiber securing means further includes adhesive material between said pinmembers and said inner walls of said optical fiber receiving bores andbetween said pin members and outer surfaces of said optical fibers. 28.The connector of claim 7 in which said optical fiber securing meansincludes compressible insert members each having an outer dimensiongreater than the dimension of each of said optical fiber receiving boresand a central aperture dimensioned for receiving one of said opticalfibers, one of said compressible insert members being adapted for forcedinsertion into each of said optical fiber receiving bores, saidcompressible insert members being substantially uniformly compressed bysaid optical fiber receiving bores for substantially uniformly reducingthe dimensions of said central apertures about said optical fibers tothereby tightly confine said optical fibers in said preselectedpositions relative to said mating end of said rigid terminating member.29. A hermaphroditic fiber optic connector for use in an assemblyincluding a second identical hermaphroditic fiber optic connector foraligning mating ends of optical fibers in a pair of fiber optic cablescomprising:a rigid terminating member having a longitudinal boredimensioned for receiving one of said fiber optic cables, said borecommunicating with a longitudinal counterbore in a mating end of saidrigid terminating member, said counterbore having a common axis withsaid bore and having a diameter larger than the diameter of said bore; acylindrical adapter disposed in said counterbore, said adapter having ahermaphroditic face exposed at said mating end of said rigid terminatingmember, said adapter being interchangeable with other adapters havingdifferent hermaphroditic faces; a plurality of longitudinal opticalfiber receiving bores in said adapter, said optical fiber receivingbores being circumferentially spaced and having axes extending parallelto said common axis of said cable receiving bore and said counterboreand to one another, said optical fiber receiving bores receiving saidoptical fibers of said one fiber optic cable; and means associated withsaid optical fiber receiving bores for securing said optical fibers ofsaid one fiber optic cable in preselected positions relative to saidmating end of said rigid terminating member.
 30. A modularhermaphroditic connector for use in a fiber optic connector assembly foraligning mating ends of optical fibers in a pair of fiber optic cablescomprising:a rigid terminating member having a first bore dimensionedfor receiving one of said fiber optic cables and communicating with asecond bore in a mating end of said rigid terminating member; adaptermeans associated with said second bore, said adapter means having ahermaphroditic face exposed at said mating end of said rigid terminatingmember and having an optical fiber receiving bore therein, said adaptermeans being interchangeable with other adapter means having differenthermaphroditic faces; alignment means associated with said adapter meansfor securing said optical fibers in preselected positions relative tosaid mating end of said rigid terminating member, said alignment meansbeing interchangeable with other alignment means capable of securingsaid optical fibers in preselected positions relative to said mating endof said rigid terminating member; said one fiber optic cable includingstrength members to protect said optical fibers by resistinglongitudinal and transverse loading; and retainer means associated withsaid rigid terminating member for securing forward ends of said strengthmembers against movement.
 31. The connector of claim 30 in which saidadapter means includes an adapter having a planar surface disposed at anangle to a plane defined by said mating end of said rigid terminatingmember.
 32. The connector of claim 30 in which said adapter meansincludes an adapter having a planar surface lying in a plane defined bysaid mating end of said rigid terminating member.
 33. The connector ofclaim 30 in which said adapter means include an adapter having a firstplanar surface lying in a plane defined by said mating end of said rigidterminating member and a second planar surface lying in a plane parallelto but spaced from said plane defined by said mating end of said rigidterminating member.
 34. The connector of claim 30 in which saidalignment means includes compressible insert members adapted for forcedinsertion into said optical fiber receiving bores.
 35. The connector ofclaim 34 in which said compressible insert members each have an outerdimension greater than the dimension of said optical fiber receivingbores and a central aperture dimensioned for receiving one of saidoptical fibers, said compressible insert members being substantiallyuniformly compressed upon forced insertion thereof by said optical fiberreceiving bores for substantially uniformly reducing the dimension ofsaid central apertures about said optical fibers to thereby tightlyconfine said optical fibers in said preselected positions relative tosaid mating end of said rigid terminating member.
 36. The connector ofclaim 30 in which said alignment means includes a plurality of pinmembers associated with each of said optical fiber receiving bores. 37.The connector of claim 36 in which said pin members are associated witheach of said optical fiber receiving bores in side-by-side relation,said pin members being of equal dimension and dimensioned forsubstantially tangential contact with each other and with inner walls ofeach of said optical fiber receiving bores, said pin members also beingin substantially tangential contact with said optical fibers for tightlyconfining said optical fibers in said preselected positions relative tosaid mating end of said rigid terminating member.
 38. The connector ofclaim 37 in which said alignment means further includes adhesivematerial between said pin members and said inner walls of said opticalfiber receiving bores and between said pin members and outer surfaces ofsaid optical fibers.
 39. The connector of claim 30 in which saidretainer means includes an annular groove concentric with said firstbore, said groove having a rounded inner end and cooperating with anannular plug having a rounded forward end, said plug tightly confiningforward ends of said strength members within said groove to resistrearward movement thereof relative to said rigid terminating member. 40.The connector of claim 30 in which said retainer means includes acylindrical plug having a plurality of circumferentially spaced slotsand a tapered opening through the center thereof, said plug beingdisposed in an intermediate bore located between said first and secondbores in said rigid terminating member with said slots supporting saidoptical fibers and said tapered opening receiving forward ends of saidstrength members, said tapered opening cooperating with a tapered pluginserted therein to tightly confine said forward ends of said strengthmembers within said tapered opening to resist rearward movement thereofrelative to said rigid terminating member.
 41. A hermaphroditic fiberoptic connector for use in an assembly for aligning mating ends of atleast one optical fiber in each of a pair of fiber optic cablescomprising:a terminating member having a passage therein dimensioned forreceiving one of said fiber optic cables; adapter means associated witha mating end of said terminating member and communicating with saidpassage, said adapter means having a hermaphroditic face exposed at saidmating end of said terminating member, said hermaphroditic faceincluding a planar surface disposed at an angle to a plane defined bysaid mating end of said terminating member; and means associated withsaid adapter means for securing said optical fiber of said one fiberoptic cable in a preselected position relative to said mating end ofsaid terminating member.
 42. The connector of claim 41 in which saidplanar surface includes a first portion recessed within said passage anda second portion extending beyond said mating end of said terminatingmember.
 43. The connector of claim 42 in which said planar surface isbisected by said plane defined by said mating end of said terminatingmember.
 44. A hermaphroditic fiber optic connector for use in anassembly for aligning mating ends of at least one optical fiber in eachof a pair of fiber optic cables comprising:a terminating member having apassage therein dimensioned for receiving one of said fiber opticcables; adapter means associated with a mating end of said terminatingmember and communicating with said passage, said adapter means having ahermaphroditic face exposed at said mating end of said terminatingmember, said hermaphroditic face including first and second planarsurfaces lying in separate planes substantially parallel to a planedefined by said mating end of said terminating member; and meansassociated with said adapter means for securing said optical fiber ofsaid one fiber optic cable in a preselected position relative to saidmating end of said terminating member.
 45. The connector of claim 44 inwhich one of said planar surfaces lies beyond said plane defined by saidmating end of said terminating member and the other of said planarsurfaces lies in a plane recessed within said passage.
 46. The connectorof claim 45 in which said first and second planar surfaces are joined byan alignment surface lying in a plane generally perpendicular to saidfirst and second planar surfaces.
 47. A hermaphroditic fiber opticconnector for use in an assembly for aligning mating ends of opticalfibers in a pair of fiber optic cables comprising:a rigid terminatingmember having a first bore dimensioned for receiving one of said fiberoptic cables and communicating with a second bore in a mating end ofsaid rigid terminating member; an adapter supported in said second bore,said adapter having a hermaphroditic face exposed at said mating end ofsaid rigid terminating member and including a plurality of spacedoptical fiber receiving bores for receiving said optical fibers of saidone fiber optic cable; and means associated with said optical fiberreceiving bores for securing said optical fibers of said one fiber opticcable in preselected positions relative to said mating end of said rigidterminating member; said one fiber optic cable including strengthmembers extending longitudinally of said optical fibers through thecenter thereof, said rigid terminating member including means forholding said strength members against rearward movement relative to saidrigid terminating member.
 48. The connector of claim 47 in which saidrigid terminating member includes an intermediate bore between saidfirst and second bores and a cylindrical plug disposed within saidintermediate bore, said plug having a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced slots supporting said optical fibers intermediate said first andsecond bores.
 49. The connector of claim 48 in which said cylindricalplug includes a tapered opening through the center thereof, said taperedopening receiving forward ends of said strength members and cooperatingwith a tapered plug inserted therein to tightly confine said forwardends of said strength members within said tapered opening.
 50. Theconnector of claim 49 in which said optical fibers pass through saidcircumferentially spaced slots in substantial alignment with saidoptical fiber receiving bores in said adapter.